Digital radio active particle detector and control for accelerometer



R. J. COHEN DIGITAL RADIO ACTIVE PARTICLE DETECTOR Feb.4,1964

AND CONTROL FOR ACCELEROMETER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 29, 1961 ,@05527 J. fof/5M INVENTOR.

,hmm/5K5 Feb. 4, 1964 R. J. COHEN 3,120,130

DIGITAL RADIO ACTIVE PAR'IICLEl DETECTOR AND CONTROL FOR ACCELEROMETER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1961 /POBEQT J. (bf/EN A INVENTOR.

/STANCE BETWEEN 5oz/m54? www@ Feb. 4, 1964 R. J. COHEN 3,120,130

DIGITAL RADIO ACTIVE PARTICLE DETECTOR AND CONTROL FOR ACCELEROMETER Filed March 29, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 VENTOR. K

Anm/gw@ United States Patent O Robert l. flohen, Wyckoil, NJ as lgnor to General lrecision lne., Little Falls, Nl, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 29, 1%1, Ser. No. 99,187

This invention generally relates to accelerometers, and more particularly to accelerometers having a displaceable inertia element responsive to acceleration and employing a digitally operating radioactive detector and servo-system.

This application is related to an application for U.S. Patent, Serial No. 103,549, entitled Light Weight Precision Linear Accelerometer, filed in the US. Patent Odice on April 17, 1961, by Robert l. Cohen and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

In measuring acceleration by determining the movement of a mass or inertia element in response to the accelerational force, a considerable problem exists in detecting very small accelerations because of the difdculty of measuring the very small distances of movement of the mass by the use of conventional transducers of the magnetic, capacitive, or other of the commonly used analog devices. For example, the displacement of the mass in response to small accelerational forces in the order of one ten thousandths of the force of gravity is so extremely small that it is hardly detectable by a conventional magnetic transducer.

Additionally, in many applications of accelerometers, it is desired that the accelerometer produce a digital output signal that may be fed directly into a digital computer or into a digitally-operating control system. For such applications, the analog signal being produced by a conventional magnetic transducer must be converted into a suitable digital pulse form compatible with that of the computer or digital system. Accordingly, there exists a need for a way to determine the displacement of the mass in an acc-elerometer more accurately and sensitively than can be accomplished with conventional magnetic or like transducers and it is highly desirable that the need be fullled so as to produce an acceleration indicating signal in a digital form suitable for use with a digital computer or digital control system.

According to the present invention, there is provided a digitally operating accelerometer wherein the displacement of the mass in response to acceleration forces is detected by transducer means in tne form of the number of impulses receive-:l during a given time interval, and accordingly the acceleration force is obtained in digital form as is desired. Very generally, this digital transducer is obtained by providing a source for generating radioactive particles, such as alpha particles, together with a detector of such particles, such as a Geiger-Mueller type tube, with one of these devices being immovably ar'iixed Within the accelerometer housing and the other being movable with the inertia mass. Statistically speaking, the radioactive source emits a constant number of alpha particles during each interval of time, but the number of emitted particles that succeed in reaching the detector depends on, and is very accurately proportional to, the distance between the source and the detector. Consequently, this radioactive system produces an extremely accurate and sensitive digital indication of the displacement of the inertia element and accordingly provides a measure oi the acceleration force.

lt is accordingly a principal object of the invention to provide a highly sensiti te and accurate accelerometer capable of measuring very small accelerational forces in the order of ten thousandths of the force of gravity.

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A further object is to provide such an accelerometer that is capable of rapidly detecting changes in such small forces by digital means.

A still further object is to provide such an accelerometer employing a radioactive transducer and detector means.

A further object is to provide an accelerometer employing an alpha particle generator and a detector for providing extremely sensitive measurement of minute accelerations.

A still further object is to provide a spring suspension system for an accelerometer that is extremely sensitive to small forces, enabling extremely small accelerational forces to be detected.

Other objects and many additional advantages will be more readily understood by those skilled in the art after a detailed consideration of the following specification taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a block diagram for illustrating the functioning of one preferred accelerometer device according to the invention, together with its transducer and servo-restoring apparatus,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, partially in section, illustrating details of a preferred accelerometer construction, functioning as in the manner of that shown in FIG- URE l,

FlGURE 3 is a side elevational view illustrating a preferred proof mass and iiat geophysical spring suspension therefor, employed in the accelerometer of FIG- URE 2, and

FlGURE 4 is a sectional View taken along lines 4 4 oi FIGURE 3.

FlGURE 5 represents a distribution curve.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed consideration of one preferred embodiment of the invention, there is functionally shown in FIGURE 1, the elements of one preferred accelerometer mechanism and its transducer and servo structure. As shown, there is provided Within a hollow accelerometer housing 1li, a proof mass or inertia element 11, suitably supported by a pair of plate springs, represented as 12 and 13, for movement along at least one sensitive axis 14 in response to acceleration forces directed along this sensitive axis. The proof mass 11 is provided with a radio-active particle-emitting material, such as by being coated with a layer of radioactive material that generates radioactive alpha particles or the like, as generally indicated by the lines 15 representing this radiation. Thus as the proof mass 11 is reciprocably displaced along the sensitive axis 14 in a response to outside acceleration forces directed along the sensitive axis, the alpha particle generating material is likewise displaced.

Spaced from the proof mass 11 and confronting the alpha particle radiating material along sensitive axis 14, there is provided an alpha particle detector 16, which may be of the Geiger tube type or other radio-active particle detector of types well known in the art. The Geiger tube 16 is irnmovably aiiixed within the accelerometer housing 1li and is disposed to confront the source of radioactive material and receive the alpha particles 15 emanating from the material.

As generally indicated by the distribution curve shown in FIGURE 5, the radioactive material on the proof mass 11 discharges a substantially fixed number of alpha particles during each time interval and these particles are propagated outwardly as is indicated by the radiation lines 15 in FIGURE 1.

The curve shown in FIGURE 5 shows the relation between the distance between the radio-active source and the detector, and the alpha particles per unit of time which activate the detector.

A number of such alpha particles reach the detector tube 16 and are detected by the Geiger tube 16 to produce electrical impulses over line 17 representing the vdistance between the proof mass il and the Geiger tube 16.

According to the invention, the accelerometer -housing lll Vis preferably hernietically sealed and til-led with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, that is 'maintained at constant pressure within the housing itl for the purpose of minimizing Ythe leffect of gas pressure variations within the housing lll. Under these conditions, the number of alpha particles Yreceived by the detector tube i6 is Aproportional only to the distance between the proof mass 11 and the Vixed detector tube 16. In this manner, the total alpha particle count produced by Vthe Geiger tube lo during any given interval of time is proportional to the distance between the Yproof mass 'll and the Geiger tube 16, and knowing the Geiger count at the central or null position of prooi mass il, the .displacement of the proof mass in response to acceleration may readily be detected by the increase or decrease in the alpha particle count.

The electrical pulse output from the Geiger tube is directed over line 17 to a sealer or counter unit i9, which serves the purpose of proportionally reducing the number of electrical. impulses, and the output pulses from the Scaler Vor counter 19 are then directed over line Ztl .to

Van integrator .unit 2l and thence to a diilerentiator unit 22. The lintegrator unit 2l serves the purpose of provid- `ing a continuous count or summation of the number of pulses from the sealer or counter 19 and this quantity is differentiated by .the .diierentiator unit 22 to determine the rate-of-change in the number of counts or impulses which, in turn, is ,proportional to the displacement of the proof mass from its Icentral or null position. For example, when the proof mass ll yis .at its vcentral positionV with vrespect to the Geiger tube 16, the Geiger tube receives a substantially fixed number of counts or impulses during'each similar-,interval of time. On the other hand, when the proof mass 1l is displaced along Vsensitive axis 14 in a direction towardrthe Geiger tube v16, the count 0r 'impulse rate increases 'in proportion to the extent of the displacement toward the Vdetector 'tube 16 whereas, when Ythe prooi mass l1 is displaced in the opposite direction and away from theGeigertube lo, the count or impulse rate proportionally falls by an amount proportional to the amount of the displacement. By first integrating the scaled down pulses obtained Vfrom the Geiger tube, there'is obtained a quantity proportional to the total number of impulses Vreceived during the time interval and by later dierentiating this integrated'quantity, there is obtained an electrical vsignal proportional to the change in the .number of impulses received during the time interval, which in turn Vis proportional to the `displacement of the proof .mass l1 or tothe acceleration.

For restoring the prooi mass 11 to its null position Vafter each displacement, the dilerentiated signal obtained Vfrom dilerentiator 22 is then directed backwardly over line 23 to energizea torque winding 24 thatimposes a restoring force on the proof mass V11 in such direction as to always return the proof mass l1 to its null or original position. The force being generated by the torque Winding "24 is, therefore, proportional to the acceleration force operating upon the proof mass 11 and consequently, the Signal on line 23 is directly proportional to the acceleration and may be employed as an analog output signal from the accelerorneter when taken from output line 25.

Y On the other hand, if it is desired to obtain a pulsetype output from the accelerometer, digital output may be taken from line 26 leading from the output of the Scaler or counter unit 19 which, as will be recalled, provides a number ofY discrete impulses that are proportional tothe distance between'the proof mass 11 and the detector `tube '16. i

Amass ll.

FIGURE 2 illustrates one preferred accelerorneter construction functioning in the mode or operation discussed above. As shown, the housing l@ is comprised of a sealed hollow container filled with a suitable inert gas, such as nitrogen l. Within the container l@ is suitably supported a Geiger-Mueller tube le or other type of detecting tube that is rigidly fastened to and'supported by an inner housing wall 27. As shown, the inner housing wail part 27 may itself be part of a ilat sealed inner housing unit 223 that contains a displaceable mass member 2%. The mass member 29 is suitably supported by Ia pair of ilat spider type springs 37, 3S, such as geophysical springs, for enabling the mass member 29 to be displaced alongthe sensitive le, which in the embodiment shown lies along the central ams of the housing lid, Geiger-Mueller tube lo, and inner sealed housing unit 23.

As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the proof mass ll is preferably formed of a thin llat disc or annular ring V3@ that is concentrically supported within an annular frame 32 by means of a series of radial spokes 33,34, 35 and 36. The annular frame 32 is provided with a central groove channel about its outer periphery, as best shown at 3l in FIGURE 4, for the purpose of supporting a torque coil 26.- concentrically wound in the groove channel. Thus, the overall mass member 29 is comprised of the inner mass annular disc 3d, having a coating of radioactive material thereon, within an annular frame 32 together with spoke-like elements 33, 343;, 35, and 36, which serve to concentrically support the mass disc Sil within the annular rrarne 32.

The complete mass element is, in turn, supported within the inner housing unit 2b for displacement along sensitive axis M by means of a pair of fiat spider or geophysical springs 37 and 3S on opposite sides thereof. The lspider or geophysical springs 37 and 3g are generally hat discshaped members of spring metal that are supported by the housing at their outer peripheries and are provided with a central opening to enable radiation from the central mass circular disc 3@ to pass outward from the prooi Each of the geophysical springs is formed with a Yplurality of arcuately-shaped cutouts, such as 49 in FIGURE 3, to provide a series of arcuate tlexure arms such as 39 and di? that are adapted to ilex along sensitive axis le but to resist deection along any other axis. As described, therefore, the mass member 29, .containing the torque coil .24, is sandwiched between geophysical springs 37 and 33 whereby the proof mass ll may be displaced along the sensitive axis 14, toward and away from the Geiger tube i6, but may not be displaced along any other axis.

'Ilhe outer peripheries of the llat spider or geophysical springs 37 and 38 are fastened to opposite sides of a large annular permanent .magnet member 4l as` best shown in 24 is likewise wound about sensitive axis Eld las its centerV in the same direction or Vparallel to the magnetic ilux 45 produced by the permanent magnet 41. Consequently, by energizing the torque coil 24 with a current flow in one given direction or polarity, the flux being generated thereby will aid the magnetic linx yi5 of the permanent magnet 41 and by energizing the coil Z4 with an opposite polarity signal, thetorque coil Flux will oppose that of the permanent magnet 4l. Thus, by suitably energizing the torque coil 2.4, the proof mass l1 and coil structure may be reciprocably positioned along sensitive axis 14 by means of interaction of the tlux of the torque coil Z4 with the magnetic ilux 45 produced by permanent magnet 41, thereby to continually restore the proof mass to its central or null position after each displacement of the proof mass.

Although but one preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes may be made in the preferred accelerometer as illustrated and described without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, this invention is to be considered as being limited only by the following claims appended thereto.

'what is claimed is:

l. ln an accelerometer for detecting small inertia forces, a support, a proof mass and spring suspension means therefor for suspending said proof mass Within said support for freedom of movement along at least one sensitive axis, and radioactive means for detecting the extent of displacement between said proc-f mass and the support, said radioactive Vmeans including a radioactive alpha particle generator means and an alpha particle de- 'rector means, one ci said means being axed to said support and the other of sai means being movable with said proof mass, and an integrating means for summing the timber of alpha particles received by said alpha particle detector means, during a specific thne interval, and a diferentiator means energized by the integrating means for determining the rate of change in the number oi alpha particles detected, during a specific time interval.

2. A digital accelerometer comprising a sealed housing containing an inert gas, a prooi' mass means supported within the housing by means of relatively lat springs for displacement along at least one sensitive axis, said proof mass means having means incorporated therewith tor producing radioactive alpha particles, an alpha particle detector means axed Within said housing and spaced from said proof mass means to detect alpha particles being generated by said material incorporated with the prooi mass means, whereby the number of alpha particles received by said `alpha particle detector during any given time interval is proportional lto the distance between said proof mass and said alpha particle detector, said prooi mass means comprising a mass element having a thin coating of `alpha particle emitting material thereon and an integrating means for summing the number of alpha particles received by said alpha particle detector means, during a specic time interval, and a dii`erentiator means energized by the integrating means for determining the rate oi change in the number of alpha particles detected, during a specic time interval.

3. A radioactive transducer yfor determining the extent of deviation between two members, one of said me hers being axially movable relative to the other, from a given spacing therebetween, comprising an alpha particle generating means supported by the movable one ot said members and an alpha particle detector supported by the relatively hxed member of said members, and disposed in receptive relationship to said alpha particle generating means, scaler means energized by said alpha particle detector to proportionally reduce the count rate of the one condition relative to the other condition of the detector, an inegrator energized by said sealer means, and a diferentiator energized by said integrator and producing a signal proportional to the rate of change of the integrator, whereby said diterentiator signal is proportional to the deviation of the movable ot said members from said given spacing therebetween, a hermetically sealed housing enclosing sm'd radioactive transducer and `containing a neutral gas therein at relatively constant pressure and density.

4. A servo system for maintaining two relatively movable members with a given spacing therebetween, comprising a generator means for producing radioactive radiation supported on one of the relatively movable members, radioactive detector means supported on the other relatively movable member and positioned to detect radiation from the radioactive generator means, means responsive to the radioactive detector means `for producing a signal proportional to the rate of change of the radiation received by the radioactive detector means from a given level of radiation, and torque exerting means controlling one of said relatively movable members and being energized by said signal for displacing one of said embers relative to the other to continually maintain the given spacing therebetween, said generator means producing `alpha particle radiation, and such signal producing means including an integrator for accumulating impulses proportional to the number of particles detected by said radioactive detector means, and a diderentiator energized by said integrator for producing said signal.

5. An accelerorneter comprising: a housing, a at mass element Within the housing and having a coating of radioactive alpha particle producing material, multiple at iiexible spring means supporting said mass element for displacement along a sensitive axis, and an alpha particle detector spaced from said radioactive coating material on said mass element, means energized by said alpha particle `detector for producing a signal proportional to the change in displacement of said mass element from said alpha particle detector along said sensitive axis, and torque means energized by said signal for restoring said mass element to -a given position upon a displacement thereof, said torque means including a permanent magnet supported Within said housing and providing a flux along said sensitive axis, and a torque coil supported by said mass element and in force engaging relationship with said permanent magnet nux, said torque coil being energzable by said signal to axially displace said mass element, said housing being hermetically sealed and containing a neutral `gas at relatively constant pressure and density, said means energized by said alpha particle detector including an integrator for producing a continuously increasing quantity proportional to the integral of the number of alpha particles detected, and a diierentiator for producing said signal proportional to the rate of change of said integrated quantity.

6. An accelerometer comprising a housing, a ilat mass element Within the housing and having a coating of radioactive alpha particle producing material, multiple iiat ilexible spring means supporting said mass element for displacement along a sensitive axis, and an alpha particle detector spaced from said radioactive coating material `on said mass element, means energized by said alpha particle detector for producing a signal proportional to the change in displacement of said mass element `from said alpha particle detector along said sensitive axis, and torque means energized by said signal for restoring said mass element to a given position upon a displacement thereof, smd torque means including a permanent magnet supponted within said housing and providing a ux along said sensitive aris, `and a torque coil supported by said mass element and in force engaging relationship with said permanent magnet ux, said torque coil being energizable by said signal to axially displace said mass element, said means energized by said alpha particle detector including an integrator ifor producing a continuously increasing quantity proportional to the integral of the number ot alpha particles detected, and a differentiator for producing said signal proportional to the rate of change of said integrated quantity, and feedback means for interconnecting said diierentiator and the torque coil.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,502,132 Eromson Mar. 28, 1950 2,505,585 Elliott May 9, 1950 2,725,486 Walstrom Nov. 29, 1955 2,767,973 Ter Veen Oct. 23, 1956 2,780,101 Kinlel Feb. 5, 1957 2,300,591 Gilman July 23, 1957 2,853,287 Draper Sept. 23, 1958 2,913,900 Andrews NOV. 24, 1959 3.024,364 Wanetick Mar. 6, 1962 

6. AN ACCELEROMETER COMPRISING A HOUSING, A FLAT MASS ELEMENT WITHIN THE HOUSING AND HAVING A COATING OF RADIOACTIVE ALPHA PARTICLE PRODUCING MATERIAL, MULTIPLE FLAT FLEXIBLE SPRING MEANS SUPPORTING SAID MASS ELEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT ALONG A SENSITIVE AXIS, AND AN ALPHA PARTICLE DETECTOR SPACED FROM SAID RADIOACTIVE COATING MATERIAL ON SAID MASS ELEMENT, MEANS ENERGIZED BY SAID ALPHA PARTICLE DETECTOR FOR PRODUCING A SIGNAL PROPORTIONAL TO THE CHANGE IN DISPLACEMENT OF SAID MASS ELEMENT FROM SAID ALPHA PARTICLE DETECTOR ALONG SAID SENSITIVE AXIS, AND TORQUE MEANS ENERGIZED BY SAID SIGNAL FOR RESTORING SAID MASS ELEMENT TO A GIVEN POSITION UPON A DISPLACEMENT THEREOF, SAID TORQUE MEANS INCLUDING A PERMANENT MAGNET SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND PROVIDING A FLUX ALONG SAID SENSITIVE AXIS, AND A TORQUE COIL SUPPORTED BY SAID MASS ELEMENT AND IN FORCE ENGAGING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID PERMANENT MAGNET FLUX, SAID TORQUE COIL BEING ENERGIZABLE BY SAID SIGNAL TO AXIALLY DISPLACE SAID MASS ELEMENT, SAID MEANS ENERGIZED BY SAID ALPHA PARTICLE DETECTOR INCLUDING AN INTEGRATOR FOR PRODUCING A CONTINUOUSLY INCREASING QUANTITY PROPORTIONAL TO THE INTEGRAL OF THE NUMBER OF ALPHA PARTICLES DETECTED, AND A DIFFERENTIATOR FOR PRODUCING SAID SIGNAL PROPORTIONAL TO THE RATE OF CHANGE OF SAID INTEGRATED QUANTITY, AND FEEDBACK MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING SAID DIFFERENTIATOR AND THE TORQUE COIL. 